Congregation at Prayer: March 19-25, 2017

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Psalm of the Week: 136:1-16 (antiphon v. 26)

Verse: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has thus been destroyed, yet it my flesh I shall see God.” (Job 19:25-26)

The Catechism: Table of Duties – Of Citizens

“Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)

“Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath, but for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:5-7)

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

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Readings for the Week of Oculi, Third Sunday in Lent

Monday: Matthew 9:14-26 and Genesis 29:1-30

Tuesday: Matt. 9:27-34 and Gen. 35:1-29

Wednesday: Matt. 9:35-10:15 and Gen. 37:1-36

Thursday: Matt. 10:16-31 and Gen. 39:1-23

Friday: Matt. 10:32-11:1 and Gen. 40:1-23

Saturday: Look forward to Sunday’s readings and Gen. 41:1-27

The Hymn of the Week: 824, “May God Bestow on Us His Grace”

Daily Themes for Prayer:

Sunday: For the joy of the resurrection among us; for true and godly worshipthrough the word; and for the faithful preaching and hearing of God’s Word.

Monday: For faith to live in the promises of Holy Baptism; for your calling and daily work; for the unemployed; for the salvation and well-being of our neighbors; for government; and for peace.

Tuesday: For deliverance against temptation; for the addicted and despairing; for the tortured and oppressed; for those struggling with sin.

Wednesday: For marriage and family, that all may live together under the grace of Christ according to the Word of God; for parents who must raise children alone; and for godly schools, our church schools, and seminaries.

Thursday: For the Church and her pastors; for teachers, deaconesses, and other church workers; for missionaries; and for fruitful and salutary use of the blessed Sacrament of Christ’s body and blood.

Friday: For the preaching of the holy cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and for its spread throughout the world, especially in our community; and for the persecuted.

Saturday: For faithfulness to the end; for the sick and dying; for the revival of those who are withering in the faith or have fallen away; for receptive hearts and minds to God’s Word; for pastors and people as they prepare to administer and receive Christ’s holy gifts.

Collect for the Week of Oculi, Third Sunday in Lent

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.